How The Grinch Stole Christmas vs. Gremlins: Movie vs. Movie Issue #1

Movie vs. Movie Issue #1: How The Grinch Stole Christmas vs. Gremlins

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go, including CCC! Here's a fun little Christmas movie comparison, looking at two of my favorite holiday flicks. You can expect more movie merriment this month! 

Grinch vs. Gremlins

Come December, school starts winding down and the holidays kick into high gear. Suddenly you’re running out of time to buy gifts and decorate and visit with family and friends. But at some point this winter, you have to sit back on the couch with a warm mug of cocoa and watch a holiday movie. There are tons to choose from, but with such a busy schedule you have to be selective. I’ll make it easy for you: the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and Gremlins (1984) should be the two at the top of your holiday movie wish list. Which one should you watch first? Which one is ultimately the better Christmas film?

The cartoon classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Chuck Jones, who directed many of the greatest Looney Tunes episodes. The Grinch, a green, mean spirited creature who lives on Mount Crumpit, despises Christmas, and attempts to steal nearby Whoville of all its merriment. I liked it better when no one was quite sure of the reason the Grinch was so anti-Christmas, as opposed to the lame back story given in the live action film starring Jim Carrey that came out in 2000.

Aside from being in colour, featuring the Grinch’s pet dog Max, and three different original songs, this animated adaptation is extremely faithful to the book of the same name by Doctor Seuss. The Grinch was voiced by Boris Karloff, who most famously portrayed the monster in the 1931 Frankenstein. This Christmas special is aired on television every holiday season, and the Grinch himself has become an icon forever associated with the holiday. Watching this is the most important Christmas tradition in my household; I have watched it with my family every Christmas of my life.

The newest holiday tradition I adapted a few years back, was also watching Gremlins every December. This classic eighties horror comedy is not only a rousing and darkly comic treat, it’s also a statement on consumerism. A young man, Billy Peltzer, receives a mysterious creature called a Mogwai from his father for a Christmas gift. Billy names the cute critter Gizmo, and Gizmo appears to be the perfect pet, at first. Billy accidently gets Gizmo wet, and numerous other Mogwai spawn from his back. Then, come midnight, the creatures have a buffet, become grotesque, mischievous creatures, and wreak havoc on the unsuspecting town. Gizmo remains the only Mogwai unchanged, and together he, Billy, and his girlfriend have to destroy the Gremlins and save everyone from their naughty—and often deadly—antics.

Gremlins was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Joe Dante, director of the werewolf flick The Howling and original Piranha. The sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, was also directed by Dante, but not set during Christmas and had a much lighter tone. The original actually has some graphic moments and contains plenty of black humour. Even though it’s critical reviews range from positive to mixed, many consider this a film classic, including myself. Not only is it one of my favourite holiday flicks, it’s among my favourite films ever.

Both of these essential Christmas specials should be seen by everyone, but which one is superior? The Grinch is beautifully animated, with great voice acting and a sweet yet simple plot. Gremlins, on the other hand, is not as family friendly. Anyone any age can enjoy The Grinch, but younger kids might be a little freaked out by green pointy eared creatures running around setting things on fire, getting blown up in microwaves, partying at bars, and trying to torture poor Gizmo whom the audience is rooting for. Having said that, I first saw Gremlins when I was in elementary school, and I thought it was more hilarious than scary. The effects seem a little dated at times, but overall the puppetry effects for the Mogwai still work today. The Grinch is an enduring piece of entertainment, and really doesn’t feel aged—it certainly doesn’t feel 47 years old. Even though both films are timeless, Gremlins still feels like a product of the eighties.

Even though The Grinch is such a classic, it might feel like a kids show to some. Cartoons aren’t for everyone, and Gremlins might appeal to an older audience because of the more mature content. Gremlins also has the advantage of appealing to fans of various genres. It’s a comedy, horror, creature feature, all wrapped up in a dose of holiday fun. At the same time, serious fans of strict comedy might dislike the creatures and plethora of special effects, or horror fans will feel it’s too light hearted and silly. This is the reason genre hybrids like Gremlins often receive such mixed reactions.

It could be argued that Gremlins is the best Christmas film because it constitutes the length of a feature film, and The Grinch is a TV special. Ultimately, The Grinch comes out on top as the best Christmas special for me, only because it’s such a strong tradition in my family. Gremlins is a film I could watch anytime of the year, but watching The Grinch in July would just feel wrong.

So now you have two great Christmas specials to watch this holiday season. If you don’t have time for both, I recommend going with The Grinch. The unedited version runs 26 minutes, the TV version 22 minutes (without commercials). If you are able to see both, then you definitely should do so. Watch The Grinch first to set the Christmas feeling, and end with Gremlins for the madcap entertainment. It should make for a great night of family fun. Merry Christmas, and happy holidays!